Open Submission Call

I thought there might be someone out there interested in an open submission call at Champagne books/Carnal Passions. This is what they are looking for:



Carnal Passions – we are in need of m/m and m/f novellas and BDSM at the moment. We are also accepting other genres for our erotic imprint.

Champagne Books – we are in need of Sci-fi, Fantasy, Western Historical, Contemporary Romance, Paranormal and Steampunk at the moment. We are also accepting other genres for this imprint.

For both imprints, we are looking for something unique in the vampire sub genre. We are not looking for manuscripts that closely resemble the Twilight series.

Judy Gill is our Acquisitions Manager. Please put in your cover letter that you are responding to the submissions call put out by me.

Champagne Books and Carnal Passions are e-book publishers. Please check out our submission guidelines. www.champagnebooks.com www.carnalpassions.com

Gunny Jason Safely in Afghanistan

Just a brief update to let everyone know that Gunny Jason is safe on base in Afghanistan. I heard from him this morning and he seemed to be in very good spirits. He's off for several days of mobile missions, and chances are I won't hear from him for the next week or so. Just keep him and his team in your prayers.

There still isn't any word on a release date for "Death and Summer Rain", but I'll keep you up to date.

I'm working on a story now that I had to get "into" the part to successfully write. I can't tell you much without giving away the story but it is a man and woman stranded in blizzard. I was having problems finding the words to describe the cold, but thanks to my husband and a few cool nights riding in the jeep and I was well in character. Look for the story in 2011, it is going to be a good one!

Catching up on the latest

My latest novella "Death and Summer Rain" is now in the edit stages and hopefully it will be out soon. Things with me have been super duper busy with work, home and trying to finish three manuscripts.

I took a little time off in June and jetted off to the U.S. Virgin Islands for a little R&R. It was well worth it!

One of the Marines I "adopted" last year is on his way to Afghanistan now. So keep Gunny Jason in your prayers. Hopefully he'll have lots of funny stories to tell...and a few that are a bit more colorful. It is always intresting to read what those guys can come up with after a few months away from the states. I'll try to keep you posted on that!

I hope you are all doing well. Thanks for stopping by.

HELL HENT on sale now!

Just a note to let you all know that HELL BENT is now available at www.carnalpassions.com , and most of your favorite on line ebook sellers. It is not available at fictionwise yet, and I'm not sure what is up with that....but allromance has it as well as bookstrand.

Now if I can just make it through the edits of DEATH AND SUMMER RAIN! Wish me luck!

HELL BENT Available April 7, 2010

HELL BENT release date April 7, 2010

Reserve an advance copy at:
http://carnalpassions.com/books/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=35

Just a few thoughts

It is odd, the way life works out. It is as if things within a child’s life directly impact, if not define, the pathway of their future. As a little girl I always had thoughts in my head, stories if you will, and those thoughts became my friends. Having been an only child I spent a lot of time talking to the imaginary people I’d created within my mind. Those conversations however, weren’t with invisible people in my life as I carried on a normal day. In fact, my imagination carried me to a far away land, and usually into the presence of famous people. As a teenager my best friend and I attended separate schools and often wrote lengthy letters (stories) to share with each other about the football jocks or the guys in the local rock band. When I became an adult however, I realized that the stories were still there, but with greater detail. It was the death, of someone very special that helped me realize that those stories which had helped me escape loneliness as a child could do the same as an adult. With a pen in hand I drifted away to a land that my hero was still very much alive, and death could never take him away. As time progressed the need to “let go” of the pain and move forward had me migrating toward the creation of other heroes much like the one I’d lost. It was the beginning of the creation of the Alpha-males from my books. The men bigger than life, stronger than nails but with a soft spot that only one woman ever finds.

Obviously we are all made by the same pattern, yet are so very different in comparison. Through the years I’ve learned that it is impossible to please every reader out there. Inevitably, someone will read my books that simply do not like them. I sincerely thank those individuals for taking the time to read my work, but I cannot allow those opinions to alter my path in writing. I’ve identified my target groups, and those are the people I hope to please. Those people who see the world with many of the same views as I. Those people who are willing to explore the wild side of life, vicariously through my books. An editor once gave me some very valuable advice, “Never defend the reason you wrote what you wrote. If it is already in print you couldn’t change it, even if you wanted to.” If you don’t like strong willed women and Alpha-males then my writing style isn’t for you. I pride myself in my strength, and being totally honest I don’t know how to create a weak female character. Perhaps I don’t want to know.

Will there ever be a time when erotic romance readers don’t want Alpha-males? Well I’m no psychic, but I certainly hope not. I for one can’t imagine life without those characters. Be it a fireman, a karate instructor, or a lumberjack, the world needs Alpha-males.

As women continue to evolve, and become inherently stronger, we may become our own heroes. We may even become the heroes of men. Regardless of what the future holds however, I’m thankful for the release that creating Alpha-males has given me. Through my stories I’ve learned to let go of the past, and to share the love that was so full and vibrant in my own life.

EDITS COMPLETE!!

Edits are complete for HELL BENT! We are anxiously awaiting cover art. Hopefully the novella will be a go in just a few days!

Final Edits for Hell Bent

I am in the process of finishing the last edits for Hell Bent. Hopefully the cover art will be ready in a few days. Thanks for stopping by!

HELL BENT release

I've just learned that the cover art is in progress for Hell Bent. Hopefully the novella will be ready for release in the next couple of week.

Arlene Knowell starts a new blogger

My life has been a whirlwind since the release of my first novella, Far From Innocent, in August, 2009. By the grace of God it made it onto many bestseller lists, which was more than I'd ever expected. Since that time I've been fortunate enough to have two other novellas contracted by Carnal Passions. I am looking forward to the release of Hell Bent in early March 2010. It was co-written with a very dear friend of mine named Judith Noelle. There has also been a tenative date of March 31, 2010 set for my (3rd book) 1st novel, Death and Summer Rain.